21/08/2021
WHAT IS URINARY TRACT INFECTION?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. These are the structures that urine passes through before being eliminated from the body.
The kidneys are a pair of small organs that lie on either side of the spine at about waist level. They have several important functions in the body, including removing waste and excess water from the blood and eliminating them as urine. These functions make them important in the regulation of blood pressure. Kidneys are also very sensitive to changes in blood sugar levels and blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Both diabetes and hypertension can cause damage to these organs.
What causes a urinary tract infection?
The urine is normally sterile. An infection occurs when bacteria get into the urine and begin to grow. The infection usually starts at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract.
The culprit in at least 90% of uncomplicated infections is a type of bacteria called Escherichia coli, better know as E. coli. These bacteria normally live in the bowel (colon) and around the a**s.
These bacteria can move from the area around the a**s to the opening of the urethra. The two most common causes of this are improper wiping and s*xual in*******se.
Usually, the act of emptying the bladder (urinating) flushes the bacteria out of the urethra. If there are too many bacteria, urinating may not stop their spread.
The bacteria can travel up the urethra to the bladder, where they can grow and cause an infection.
The infection can spread further as the bacteria move up from the bladder via the ureters.
If they reach the kidney, they can cause a kidney infection (pyelonephritis), which can become a very serious condition if not treated promptly.
The following people are at increased risk of urinary tract infection:
People with conditions that block (obstruct) the urinary tract, such as kidney stones
People with medical conditions that cause incomplete bladder emptying (for example, spinal cord injury or bladder decompensation after menopause)
People with suppressed immune systems: Examples of situations in which the immune system is suppressed are HIV/AIDS and diabetes. People who take immunosuppressant medications such as chemotherapy for cancer also are at increased risk.
Women who are s*xually active: Sexual in*******se can introduce larger numbers of bacteria into the bladder. Urinating after in*******se seems to decrease the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection.
Women who use a diaphragm for birth control
Men with an enlarged prostate: Prostatitis or obstruction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate can lead to incomplete bladder emptying, thus increasing the risk of infection. This is most common in older men.
Males are also less likely to develop UTIs because their urethra (tube from the bladder) is longer. There is a drier environment where a man's urethra meets the outside world, and fluid produced in the prostate can fight bacteria.
Breastfeeding has been found to decrease the risk for urinary tract infections in children.
The following special groups may be at increased risk of urinary tract infection:
Very young infants: Bacteria gain entry to the urinary tract via the bloodstream from other sites in the body.
Young children: Young children have trouble wiping themselves and washing their hands well after a bowel movement. Poor hygiene has been linked to an increased frequency of urinary tract infections.
Children of all ages: Urinary tract infection in children can be (but is not always) a sign of an abnormality in the urinary tract, usually a partial blockage. An example is a condition in which urine moves backward from the bladder up the ureters (vesicoureteral reflux).
Hospitalized patients or nursing-home residents: Many of these individuals are catheterized for long periods and are thus vulnerable to infection of the urinary tract. Catheterization means that a thin tube (catheter) is placed in the urethra to drain urine from the bladder. This is done for people who have problems urinating or cannot reach a toilet to urinate on their own.
Preventing a urinary tract infection
Not all urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be prevented, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing an infection.
The following advice may be useful in helping you keep your bladder and urethra free from bacteria:
*drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and help clear bacteria from the urinary tract
*go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to urinate, rather than holding it in
*wipe from front to back after going to the toilet
*practise good hygiene by washing your ge****ls every day, and before having s*x
*empty your bladder after having s*x
Product order send us message.. Thank you 😊
